Amusement device

ABSTRACT

An amusement device is in the form of a novelty purse in the shape of hot-pants having a detachably secured carrying strap. A fabric body of the hot-pants includes appropriate pockets, a waistband with belt straps receiving a removable belt so that various styles and colors of belts may be interchanged. To close the purse the waistband may be provided with any suitable closures, such as Velcro fasteners. The body has a pair of legs closed at their bottom ends either by stiff shaped closures or by flexible closures in which event rigid rings are provided within the legs, for retaining the legs expanded to simulate hot pants as they are worn. A fly is part of the pants body and may be provided with a zippered closure if desired. A single pattern is used to form two sections which comprise the body, these sections being sewed together along the crotch and a rear seat seam, and along innerseams of the legs.

United States Patent [191 Tarkowski [451 Feb. 18,1975

[ AMUSEMENT DEVICE Primary ExaminerDonald F. Norton Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert F. Ruemeli [57] ABSTRACT An amusement device is in the form of a novelty purse in the shape of hot-pants having a detachably secured carrying strap. A fabric body of the hot-pants includes appropriate pockets, a waistband with belt straps receiving a removable belt so that various styles and colors of belts may be interchanged. To close the purse the waistband may be provided with any suitable closures, such as Velcro fasteners. The body has a pair of legs closed at their bottom ends either by stiff shaped closures or by flexible closures in which event rigid rings are provided within the legs, for retaining the legs expanded to simulate hot pants as they are worn. A fly is part of the pants body and may be provided with a zippered closure if desired. A single pattern is used to form two sections which comprise the body, these sections being sewed together along the crotch and a rear seat seam, and along innerseams of the legsv 28 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures AMUSEMENT DEVICE This invention relates to an amusement device and, more particularly, to such a device in the form of an amusing novelty purse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various U.S. patents show different forms of purses, novelty bags, and the like. For example, Dl83,7l

shows a Handbag or Similar Article which is generally in the form of a pair of pants. However, the patent is devoid of any descriptive material and details of construction are left to speculation. In D99,499 a Laundry Bag is shown, but again structural details are left to speculation. In D69,3 87, a Novelty Holder for Soiled or Clean Handkerchiefs is illustrated, but it is not evident from the drawing how access is obtained to the interior of the holder. D63,709 shows a Fancy Bag" and D155,742 shows a Childs Purse but again, details of construction are left to speculation. In all of these design patents there is no suggestion as to the materials of construction or whether the articles are rigid or flexible, or partly rigid and partly flexible. The following patents, U.S. Pat. No. 1,137,047 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,466,208 show two forms of handbags, neither of which is particularly amusing.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and entertaining amusement device in the form of a novelty purse. A related object is provision of such a purse in the form of pants. Another related object is provision of a removable belt about a waist portion of the pants and additionally, a pants fly which may provide access to a pocket, if desired. Another related object is provision for retaining leg portions of the device in expanded configuration as during normal wearing of pants.

A more specific object is provision of an amusement device in the form of a novelty purse simulating a pair of pants, the device including a flexible generally pantsshaped body having an upper, waist portion, for providing access to within the body, a pair of depending leg portions, bottoms of the leg portions being closed for retaining articles within the body, and connected with the body proximate the waist portion, carrying means for the body, provision for retaining the waist portion generally smooth as viewed from the front of the pantsshaped body when the body is carried by the carrying means, and provision for releasably retaining the waist portion closed to close the purse. A related object is provision of belt straps along the waist portion and a belt received by the belt straps and, more particularly, the belt being removably retained by the belt straps. Another related object is provision for closing lower portions of the leg portions with shaped stiff members for retaining the leg portions generally expanded or, alternatively, closing the lower portions of the leg portions with flexible closures and providing ring members within the leg portions for maintaining the legs expanded. A further related object is provision of a typical pants fly and, more particularly, such a fly providing access to the interior of the body and preferably into a pocket within the body. Still another related object is provision for reinforcing or stiffening opposite sides of the pants-shaped body. A further related object is the body formed from a pair of substantially identical fabric blanks, the blanks being connected by seams along crotch and seat portions of the body, and along innerseams of the leg portions.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is, in brief, directed to an amusement device in the form of a novelty purse. The device has the overall outward appearance of a pair of pants and, more particularly, hot pants. The body of the purse is constructed and reinforced to retain the general appearance of a pair of pants as they are normally worn, that is with the leg portions and the waist portion of the pants expanded and smooth as viewed from the front. A carrying strap is attached to the waist portion for conveniently carrying the purse. Suitable fasteners releasably close the waist portion and when opened provide access to the interior of the purse. the body includes a typical pants fly which also provides access to the interior of the purse body or to a pocket within the purse body. If desired, the fly may be closed as by a zipper. The waist portion is preferably provided with belt straps and a removable belt which may be replaced by other designs or colors of belts, if desired, the belt aid ing in reinforcing and maintaining the waist portion expanded and smooth. The sides of the pants body may be reinforced in order to further maintain the desired outward appearance of the novelty purse.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the amusement device, in the form of a novelty hot pants purse, with a portion broken away and removed for clearer illustration;

FIG. 2 is a top view looking into the interior of the device with an upper waist portion of the hot pants purse open to permit access to the interior of the body, with a carrying strap broken away and removed for clearer illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3., to a reduced scale;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating another embodiment of a portion of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view, similar to FIG. 2, but with the waist portion closed;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary front view similar to FIG. 1, of a fly portion of the hot pants purse opened and a belt unbuckled; and

FIG. 8 is a fabric blank from which the body of the purse is sewn together.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the amusement device is illustrated in the form of a novelty purse 9 closely resembling a pair of pants and, more particularly, hot pants. A body 10 of the pants is preferably a flexible fabric and includes a waist portion 12.

Belt straps 14 are secured along the waist portion 12 and receive a removable belt 16 having a buckle 17. Thus, the belt 16 may be buckled and unbuckled (FIG. 7) in an amusing manner and may be replaced with another belt of a different style or color, for example, to coordinate with the users attire. In addition to enhancing the appearance and amusing aspects of the novelty purse 9, the belt 16 aids in reinforcing the waist portion 12 of the body and retarding collapse of the waist portion by maintaining the waist portion generally expanded and smooth, and generally in conformance with the configuration of normal pants when worn by a person. Additional reinforcing to retard collapse may be provided along the waist portion 12, for example any relative stiff fabric or plastic may be sewn within the waist portion which may be constructed in typical wisband manner (not shown), if desired. Suitable fastening means, such as Velcro fasteners 17A (FIGS. 2 and 6) are preferably provided along the interior of the waist portion 12 for retaining the waist portion releasably closed (FIG. 6). These fasteners further aid in reinforcing the waist portion 12 to keep it smooth and expanded when it is closed, as shown in FIG. 6. However, if desired the fasteners may be eliminated.

The body is carried by a strap 18 which may be releasably secured to the waistporrion l2 proximate opposite sides of the body as by suitable snaps and rings 19. The strap 18 may be replaced by straps of other styles or colors to coordinate with the belt 16 and the user's attire, if desired.

Additionally, the hot pants body 10 includes a fly 20 (FIGS. 1 and 7). The fly 20 may be sewn shut but it is preferably arranged so that it may be opened (FIG. 7) to provide access to the interior of the body 10 and preferably into a pocket 22 within the body. The fly 20 preferably provided with a closure such as a zipper 24 secured to the bbody in typical manner. Thus, a hand may be easily inserted through the open fly and into the pocket or interior of the hot pants body, the overall effect thereof providing numerous amusing incidents.

The upper end of the fly 20 at the waist portion 12 may be provided with a closure such as a button 26 (FIG. 7), in typical manner, so that the fly may be completely opened, or the upper end of the fly may be sewn closed so that the waist portion 12 is endless. FIG. 7 also shows the belt 16 unbuckled so that it may be removed from the belt straps 14.

The body 10 also includes depending leg portions 28 and there between a crotch 29. The leg portions 28 are suitably closed at their lower ends as by flexible closures 30 (FIG. 4). The closures 30 are sewn integrally with hems of the leg portions 28. In order to maintain the leg portions expanded to simulate the shape of normal pants legs when the pants are being worn, a suitable annular reinforcing member 32 of suitably rigid material may be provided in the leg portions 28 immediately above the closures 30. FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of leg closures wherein any suitable relatively rigid members 34 such as wood or fiber members positioned proximate the lower end of each leg portion 28 and suitably secured thereto by fasteners 36 (only one shown) extending through the body material and into the rigid member 34. In this embodiment, a decorative trim piece 38 is preferably sewn about the lower portion of each leg portion 28 to conceal the fasteners 36.

In order to further enhance the amusing similarity of the hot pants purse to a normal pair of hot pants, it is desirable to reinforce the sides of the body 10. Such reinforcing may be provided by a typical pants side seam, but is preferably provided by a simulated side seam 40 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The simulated side seam 40 is formed by a pair of return portions 42 and 44 sewn together as at 46 and, if desired, also sewn together (not shown) at the opposite ends of the return portions. Thus, the additional fabric of the seam 40 serves to reinforce the sides of the body 10. Additionally, a semi-rigid reinforcing rod 48 (FIGS. 3 and 4) may be inserted into each of tubular portions formed by the side seams 40.

Any suitable form of pants pockets, as 50 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 6), may be provided on the front and/or rear of the hot pants body 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, patch pockets are provided, but slash pockets or western pockets, or any other desired type of pocket may be provided to further enhance the amusing appearance of the hot pants purse. I

The body 10 is preferably formed by a pair of identical fabric blanks 52, as shown in FIG. 8. the blanks may be cut together with similar (inner or outer) faces ad jacent each other. With reference to the blank 52, previous reference numerals primed (as 20') indicate portions of the blank 52 corresponding to the previously numbered features of FIGS. 1 7. For example, the fly 20 may be formed integrally with one half of the pocket 22', these halves being sewn together. If desired, the pocket portion 22 may be eliminated and the fly portion 20' may be out along the phantom line 54, whereupon a pocket 22 may be sewn to the body in typical manner, or the pocket 22 may be eliminated entirely, whereupon the fly 20 provides access to the open interior of the body 10. Opposite the fly portion 20' is a generally concave portion 56 which is provided to taper the leg portion 28 into the waist portion 12 along a rear seam 58 (FIG. 2) of the body 10. Fold lines 60 are indicated in dashed lines, the blank being folded about these lines to form the simulated seam 40 in FIGS. 3 and 4. The blank shown in FIG. 8 is preferably formed of any material suitable for use in pants.

If desired, the interior of the body 10 may be provided with a suitable lining (not shown) to enhance the overall appearance of the pants purse and, if desired, the lining may be waterproof so that the pants purse may be conveniently used as a beach bag or for carrying diapers, or the like.

In summary, in addition to an overall neat and unusual appearance, the novelty hot pants purse has numerous amusing features, one of which is the removable belt 16 which may be buckled and unbuckled in typical fashion, and the fly 20 which may be opened and closed in typical fashion. Also, the fly 20, which provides access to the interior of the hot pants body 10, or more desirably to the pocket 22, is an unusual feature in a purse, and can be expected to produce numerous amusing incidents when manipulated by a lovely lady. Additionally, the reinforcing of the waist portion 12 and the leg portions and sides of the body 10 maintain the purse in a neat and smooth condition closely simulating hot pants.

While this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments in a particular environment, various changes may be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the invention is therefore not to be limited to such embodiments or environment, except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An amusement device in the form of a novelty purse simulating a pair of pants, comprising a flexible pants-shaped body having an upper waist-like portion providing access to within the body, a pair of depending leg portions, and between said leg portions a crotch, means closing said leg portions for retaining articles within the body, carrying means connected with said body proximate said waist portion for carrying said body, and means retaining said waist-like portion generally expanded as viewed from the front of the pantsshaped body as said body is carried by said carrying means, the retaining means including belt straps along the waist-like portion and a belt between the body and the belt straps.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the belt is a typical pants belt and is removably retained within said belt straps.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the leg closing means comprise stiff means, one for each of said leg portions for retaining the leg portions generally expanded.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the leg closing means is flexible, and means, one for each of said leg portions, for retaining the leg portions generally expanded.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the pantsshaped body includes a pants-like fly for providing access to the interior of the body.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 in which the purse simulates hot pants, and in which the last said retaining means further comprises Velcro fastener means, a pocket within the body, said fly communicating with said pocket and providing access to the pocket, means, onefor each of said leg portions, for retaining the leg portions generally expended, means releasably retaining said fly in generally closed position, and the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides, the last said means simulating side seams of a pair of pants, said side seams being generally tubular, and reinforcing members, one within each of the tubular side seams, and including pants-like pockets associated in typical manner with said pants-shaped body.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides.

8. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the body is formed from a pair of substantially identical blanks, said blanks being connected by seams along a crotch of the pants-shaped body and a seat portion of the body.

9. An amusement device in the form of a novelty purse simulating a pair of pants, comprising a flexible pants-shaped body having an upper waist-like portion providing access to within the body, a pair of depending leg portions, and between said leg portions a crotch, means closing said leg portions for retaining articles within the body and retaining said leg portions generally expanded to simulate the shape of leg portions of pants as worn, carrying means connected with said body proximate said waist-like portion for carrying said body, and means retaining said waist-like portion generally expanded as viewed from the front of the pantsshaped body as said body is carried by said carrying means.

10. A device as set forth in claim 9 in which the retaining means along the waist-like portion includes belt straps, and a belt between the body and the belt straps.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10 in which the belt is a typical pants belt and is removably retained by said belt straps.

12. A device as set forth in claim 9 in which the leg closing means further includes means, one for each of said leg portions, for maintaining the leg portions generally expanded.

13. A device as set forth in. claim 12 in which the last said means is flexible.

14. A device as set forth in claim 13 in which the pants-shaped body includes a pants-like fly for providing access to the interior of the body.

15. A device as set forth in claim 14 in which the purse simulates hot pants, and in which the retaining means includes belt straps along the waist-like portion and a typical pants belt releasably retained by the belt straps, and the retaining means further includes fastener means releasably retaining the waist-like portion closed, a pocket within the body, said fly communicating with said pocket and providing access to the pocket, means releasably retaining said fly in generally closed position, and the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides, the last said means simulating side seams of a pair of pants, and pants-like pockets associated in typical manner with said pants-shaped body.

16. A device as set forth in claim 12 in which the last said means is stiff.

17. A device as set forth in claim 16 in which the pants-shaped body includes a pants-like fly for providing access to the interior of the body.

18. A device as set forth in claim 17 in which the purse simulates hot pants, and in which the retaining means includes belt straps along the waist-like portion and a typical pants belt releasably retained by the belt straps, and the retaining means further includes fastener means releasably retaining the waist-like portion closed, a pocket within the body, said fly communicating with said pocket and providing access to the pocket, means releasably retaining said fly in generally closed position, and the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides, the last said means simulating side seams of a pair of pants, and pants-like pockets associated in typical manner with said pants-shaped body.

19. A device as set forth in claim 9 in which the body is formed from a pair of substantially identical blanks, said blanks being connected by seams along the crotch of the pants-shaped body and a. seat portion of the body. 4

20. An amusement device in the form of a novelty purse simulating a pair of pants, comprising a flexible pants-shaped body having an upper waist-like portion providing access to within the body, a pair of depending leg portions and therebetween a crotch, and a pants-like fly for providing access to the interior of the body, means closing said leg portions for retaining articles within the body, carrying means connected with said body proximate said waist-like portion for carrying said body, and means retaining said waist-like portion generally expanded as viewed from the front of the pants-shaped body as said body is carried by said carrying means.

21. A device as set forth in claim 20 in which said fly communicates with a pocket within said body.

22. A device as set forth in claim 20 including means releasably retaining said fly in closed position.

23. A device as set forth in claim 22 in which said fly communicates with a pocket within said body.

24. A device as set forth in claim 23 in which the re taining means along the waist portion includes belt straps, and a typical pants belt is removablyretained between the body and the belt straps.

25. A device as set forth in claim 24 in which the purse simulates hot pants, and in which the retaining means includes fastener means releasably retaining the waist-like portion closed, means, one for each of said leg portions, for retaining the leg portions generally expanded to simulate the shape of leg portions of pants as worn, the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides, the last said means simulating side seams of a pair of pants, and pants-like pockets associated in typical mannerwith said pant-shaped body.

26. A device as set forth in claim 24 in which the belt 

1. An amusement device in the form of a novelty purse simulating a pair of pants, comprising a flexible pants-shaped body having an upper waist-like portion providing access to within the body, a pair of depending leg portions, and between said leg portions a crotch, means closing said leg portions for retaining articles within the body, carrying means connected with said body proximate said waist portion for carrying said body, and means retaining said waist-like portion generally expanded as viewed from the front of the pants-shaped body as said body is carried by said carrying means, the retaining means including belt straps along the waist-like portion and a belt between the body and the belt straps.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the belt is a typical pants belt and is removably retained within said belt straps.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the leg closing means comprise stiff means, one for each of said leg portions for retaining the leg portions generally expanded.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the leg closing means is flexible, and means, one for each of said leg portions, for retaining the leg poRtions generally expanded.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the pants-shaped body includes a pants-like fly for providing access to the interior of the body.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 5 in which the purse simulates hot pants, and in which the last said retaining means further comprises Velcro fastener means, a pocket within the body, said fly communicating with said pocket and providing access to the pocket, means, one for each of said leg portions, for retaining the leg portions generally expended, means releasably retaining said fly in generally closed position, and the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides, the last said means simulating side seams of a pair of pants, said side seams being generally tubular, and reinforcing members, one within each of the tubular side seams, and including pants-like pockets associated in typical manner with said pants-shaped body.
 7. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides.
 8. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the body is formed from a pair of substantially identical blanks, said blanks being connected by seams along a crotch of the pants-shaped body and a seat portion of the body.
 9. An amusement device in the form of a novelty purse simulating a pair of pants, comprising a flexible pants-shaped body having an upper waist-like portion providing access to within the body, a pair of depending leg portions, and between said leg portions a crotch, means closing said leg portions for retaining articles within the body and retaining said leg portions generally expanded to simulate the shape of leg portions of pants as worn, carrying means connected with said body proximate said waist-like portion for carrying said body, and means retaining said waist-like portion generally expanded as viewed from the front of the pants-shaped body as said body is carried by said carrying means.
 10. A device as set forth in claim 9 in which the retaining means along the waist-like portion includes belt straps, and a belt between the body and the belt straps.
 11. A device as set forth in claim 10 in which the belt is a typical pants belt and is removably retained by said belt straps.
 12. A device as set forth in claim 9 in which the leg closing means further includes means, one for each of said leg portions, for maintaining the leg portions generally expanded.
 13. A device as set forth in claim 12 in which the last said means is flexible.
 14. A device as set forth in claim 13 in which the pants-shaped body includes a pants-like fly for providing access to the interior of the body.
 15. A device as set forth in claim 14 in which the purse simulates hot pants, and in which the retaining means includes belt straps along the waist-like portion and a typical pants belt releasably retained by the belt straps, and the retaining means further includes fastener means releasably retaining the waist-like portion closed, a pocket within the body, said fly communicating with said pocket and providing access to the pocket, means releasably retaining said fly in generally closed position, and the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides, the last said means simulating side seams of a pair of pants, and pants-like pockets associated in typical manner with said pants-shaped body.
 16. A device as set forth in claim 12 in which the last said means is stiff.
 17. A device as set forth in claim 16 in which the pants-shaped body includes a pants-like fly for providing access to the interior of the body.
 18. A device as set forth in claim 17 in which the purse simulates hot pants, and in which the retaining means includes belt straps along the waist-like portion and a typical pants belt releasably retained by the belt straps, and the retaining means further includes fastener means releasably retaining the waIst-like portion closed, a pocket within the body, said fly communicating with said pocket and providing access to the pocket, means releasably retaining said fly in generally closed position, and the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides, the last said means simulating side seams of a pair of pants, and pants-like pockets associated in typical manner with said pants-shaped body.
 19. A device as set forth in claim 9 in which the body is formed from a pair of substantially identical blanks, said blanks being connected by seams along the crotch of the pants-shaped body and a seat portion of the body.
 20. An amusement device in the form of a novelty purse simulating a pair of pants, comprising a flexible pants-shaped body having an upper waist-like portion providing access to within the body, a pair of depending leg portions and therebetween a crotch, and a pants-like fly for providing access to the interior of the body, means closing said leg portions for retaining articles within the body, carrying means connected with said body proximate said waist-like portion for carrying said body, and means retaining said waist-like portion generally expanded as viewed from the front of the pants-shaped body as said body is carried by said carrying means.
 21. A device as set forth in claim 20 in which said fly communicates with a pocket within said body.
 22. A device as set forth in claim 20 including means releasably retaining said fly in closed position.
 23. A device as set forth in claim 22 in which said fly communicates with a pocket within said body.
 24. A device as set forth in claim 23 in which the retaining means along the waist portion includes belt straps, and a typical pants belt is removably retained between the body and the belt straps.
 25. A device as set forth in claim 24 in which the purse simulates hot pants, and in which the retaining means includes fastener means releasably retaining the waist-like portion closed, means, one for each of said leg portions, for retaining the leg portions generally expanded to simulate the shape of leg portions of pants as worn, the body includes means, one along each of the sides of the body, for reinforcing the sides, the last said means simulating side seams of a pair of pants, and pants-like pockets associated in typical manner with said pant-shaped body.
 26. A device as set forth in claim 24 in which the belt is a typical pants belt and is removably retained by said belt straps.
 27. A device as set forth in claim 24 in which the retaining means along the waist portion includes belt straps, and a belt between the body and the belt straps.
 28. A device as set forth in claim 24 in which the body is formed from a pair of substantially identical blanks, said blanks being connected by seams along the crotch of the pants-shaped body and a seat portion of the body. 